viewing videos

My projector and smartboard have made showing videos and clips so much better than pulling in the old TV on a rolling cart! I can't even imagine going back to doing that after having a projector and using my computer. I have searched for pertinent video clips using united streaming and it is amazing the amount of information at my disposal. I figured out how to search by GLEs and narrow it to specific topics within a GLE. It simplified the search process and helped narrow the search results. Then showing the clip using a projector allows all the students to easily see the video without having to move their chairs. It is very convenient.

I have found an issue with my interwrite. This issue is remembering to plug it in at night to allow it to charge and be ready to go during the day. Three times I have forgotten to do this and it isn't usable when I go to use it. Remembering to keep it charged is a problem I need to work on! Our school has said they will offer training courses in using the interwrite to allow teachers to become more proficient. However, it's been over three months and I still haven't heard anything.
There is a teacher in the district who is apparently very well-versed in using an interwrite and she had multiple teachers in her room observing her use of the interwrite as a learning tool. Observing another teacher using it in action in the classroom is a good way to see how it can actually be utiluzed in the classroom. There is a big difference between using a learning tool in a presentation with all adults compared to using it in a classroom of 10 year olds. I look forward to learning more about using this tool in my classroom to engage my students. I think it will be beneficial to their learning.

Finally!!!

I have been trying to log into my blog all month and I finally was able to email the site and get it fixed today! I am still utilizing the interwrite most days. The students love being able to use it and I have them show their work, particularly in math, using it during lessons.

I was able to transfer several activities my students were going to have to do into my smart notebook program and model exactly what I wanted the students to do as they were doing it in class. This has really helped with student understanding and made my explanations more easily understood.

It is nice being able to prepare lessons in advance using the smart board and not having to draw them out on the chalk board or on chart paper. It helps our days to go more smoothly.

Interwrite All Day

I used my Interwrite all day on Thursday!!! I charged it overnight and just jumped right in using it. I need to look at those online tutorials in order to figure out more than just the basics. However, the students really enjoyed the sight I made walking around the classroom using it. It kept them more engaged than me just writing on the smartboard. I was able to use it as a bargaining tool in order to get them to pay attention. During our morning work the students' attention was focused on the board and I was able to call on individual students to use the Interwrite to share their thinking. This allowed the students to still be learning from each other and paying attention to their classmates' thinking.
I am looking forward to becoming more adept at using it and showing the students how to use it.

December

December came a lot faster than I anticipated! Common assessments are finally finished and graded. My projector bulb was out for four weeks! That made me really aware of the technology department in a not so good way. However, now the bulb is replaced and my projector is back up and running. I didn't feel like I used utilized it all that much until I didn't have it to use anymore. I had short video clips about atoms I wanted the students to watch and then I realized I couldn't do all sorts of things I had already planned. Now I can get back on track. I still haven't tried out my interwrite yet either. I couldn't with my projector not working. Now I have to figure out how to use the interwrite before they take my smart board away! I have heard that interwrites are easier for students to use and I am looking forward to being able to involve the students. My fellows partner has used her interwrite all year and I will be asking her for some pointers.

Staying on top of things

I am having a hard time staying on top of my things to do recently. I have been incredibly forgetful. My projector broke 3 weeks ago. The bulb burnt out and a new one has been ordered but is not here yet. Because I had finally gotten into a routine of using it each day, I have been completely thrown off balance. I am having to using chart paper and a whiteboard easel at the front of my classroom now instead of the pre-planned SMART board options.

I have also finally received my interwrite, which will eventually replace my smart board after Christmas. Unfortunately, because my projector is broken, I have not had the opportunity to try it out. I hope it is user-friendly and I will be able to adapt quickly.

The End of October Already

I can't believe it is the end of October already! In science we are going to be working on weather and studying various forms of weather, including hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms. I think the students will really enjoy this unit. I am planning on using short clips form United Streaming to enhance the lessons and engage the students in learning. I have greatly appreciated having my projector. I don't think a TV works quite as well as the large projections for engaging the entire class since there are so many students. It also makes a difference for my visually impaired student. She has no vision in her right eye and can sometimes see slight images with her left. The large projection makes it possible for her to make out some portion of what the class is watching, whether it is a lesson on the smart board or a video we are watching.